U.S. officials anticipate that Israel will launch attacks against Iran before the November 5 elections, as a form of retaliation. However, officials indicate that these actions may be focused solely on Iranian military targets, rather than nuclear facilities or oil installations. This follows Iran’s recent firing of nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, raising global concern over how and when Israel will respond.
Sources have revealed that Israel is prepared to strike back against Iran but has assured the United States, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the retaliation will be limited to military targets. According to various U.S. officials, Netanyahu is acutely aware that military action against Iran could bring the Middle Eastern conflict to the forefront of voter concerns prior to the elections, potentially reshaping the political landscape and complicating diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Israel.
One insider mentioned that while Netanyahu is very mindful of U.S. politics, the timing of Israel’s military response is not directly linked to the American election. Concern over potential political fallout in Israel remains a priority, with another source stating that the method of Israel’s attacks on Iran will be carefully managed to avoid any perception of political interference in the U.S. elections.
CNN has reported that while Israel is ready to attack Iran, additional details surrounding the planned actions remain undisclosed.
The regional tensions have escalated significantly since the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike on September 27. Following that, Iran launched missiles at Israel on October 1. This marks one of the highest points of tension in the region since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, leading to widespread international scrutiny over whether the situation could escalate into a broader regional conflict.
After the missile launches from Iran, Netanyahu vowed that Iran would “pay the price.”
French President Emmanuel Macron recently urged countries to cease arms exports to Israel unless the country agrees to a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza. In a phone call on October 15, Netanyahu conveyed to Macron that Israel opposes any “unilateral ceasefire” in its conflict with Hezbollah, asserting that such a move would only revert Lebanon’s security situation to previous instability.
Netanyahu assured Macron that Israel would not accept any arrangements that could hinder its fight against Hezbollah.
On October 16, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that Hezbollah had launched nearly 50 missiles into Israeli territory, but the statement did not include casualty or damage figures.
Hezbollah’s deputy secretary-general, Naim Qassem, warned on October 15, through a recorded message, that Israel should accept the ceasefire proposal from Lebanon, or else face dire consequences.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that an Israeli missile attack on the morning of October 16 resulted in the death of Ahmad Kahil, the mayor of the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, along with several municipal workers who were caught in the strike.